Tubing clip

ABSTRACT

AN IMPROVED CLIP IS PROVIDED FOR USE IN SECURING A FIRST SECTION OF TUBING WITH RESPECT TO TWO OTHER SPACED-APART TUBING SECTIONS. THE CLIP COMPRISES A UNITARY, IRREGULARLY SHAPED MEMBER FORMED OF A RESILIENT MATERIAL HAVING A CROSS SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION SYMMETRIC ABOUT AN AXIS. A CENTER SECTION DEFINING THE MAJOR PORTION OF A CIRCLE IS BISECTED BY THE AXIS AND HAS AN OPEN FRONT END AND CLOSED REAR END. WINGS INTEGRAL WITH THE CENTER SECTION EXTEND REARWARDLY TOWARD FREE ENDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AXIS FROM THE OPEN END OF THE CENTER SECTION. INDENTATIONS ARE FORMED IN EACH OF THE WINGS EXTENDING INWARDLY TOWARD THE AXIS AND DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE THE REAR OF THE CENTER SECTION AND THE ASSOCIATED WING-FREE END.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Edward Koren: Ewingville, NJ. 21 AppLNo. 41,911 [22] Filed .Iunel,l970 [45] Patented Jnne28,l97l [73] Assignee FeddersCorporation Ed1son,N.J.

[54] TUBING CLIP 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 287/1, 138/106,24/137 [51] 1nt.Cl Fl6b7/00 [50] FieldoiSearch 138/106, 107, 1 l2, 1l3;248/74, 49; 24/137.5;287/1 (Cursory) {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,959,633 5/1934 Madden 138/112 2,115,696 5/1938 Ashley 248/49 Primary Examiner David .I. Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Andrew V. Kundrat Attorney-Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Kurucz ABSTRACT: An improved clip is provided for use in securing a first section of tubing with respect to two other spaced-apart tubing sections. The clip comprises a unitary, irregularly shaped member formed of a resilient material having a cross sectional configuration symmetric about an axis. A center section defining the major portion of a circle is bisected by the axis and has an open front end and closed rear end. Wings integral with the center section extend rearwardly toward free ends on both sides of the axis from the open end of the center section. lndentations are formed in each of the wings extending inwardly toward the axis and disposed intermediate the rear of the center section and the associated wing-free end.

TUBING cur BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a clip designed to hold a tubular piece in a specific location with respect to two other tubular pieces. The clip is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a heat exchanger, such as the evaporator section of a refrigerator wherein a radiant heater must be positioned between adjacent coils of the evaporator and secured thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a clip is provided which simplifies the positioning and securement of a first tube to two spaced-apart tubular members. The clip is formed of spring steel and comprises an irregularly shaped member having a cross-sectional configuration symmetric about an axis. A center section defining the major portion of a circle is bisected by the axis and has an open front end providing access to the major portion and a closed rear end. Wing portions integral with the center section extend rearwardly toward free ends on both sides of the axis from the open end of the center section. The wings diverge increasingly from the axis approaching the free end. Indentations are formed on each of the wing portions extending inwardly toward the axis positioned intermediate the rear of the center section and the free end.

The diameter of the center section circle is slightly less than the diameter of the first section of tubing and the transverse distance between the wings measured at the detents is slightly less than the spacing between the two spaced-apart tubing sections so that when the clip is pressed together by moving the wings toward each other, the circular center portion expands sufficiently to receive the first tubing section and the distance between the wings decreases sufficiently to pass between the two spaced-apart sections. When the clip is released and allowed to reassume its normal position, the center section closes about and securely grasps the first section of tubing while the wings expand to securely engage the spaced-apart tubing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a clip in accordance with the present invention depicted in its expanded state;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the clip in compressed condition; and,

FIG. 4 is an environmental view showing the clip in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar components bear the same reference numeral throughout the several views. Reference is first made to FIG. 1 wherein the mounting clip of the present invention is shown in a relaxed condition. The clip 10 comprises a unitary member formed of a resilient material such as spring steel. The planar cross-sectional configuration of the clip is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and includes an arcuate center portion 12 which defines the major portion of the periphery of a circle and Wings 14 and 16. The rear end 18 of center portion 12 is closed and the front end 20 is open.

Reverse bends 22 and 24 respectively connect wings 14 and 16 to the open end of the clip on opposite sides of the axis of symmetry, thereby causing wings I4 and 16 to extend rearwardly toward free ends 26 and 28. It should be noted that Wings 14 and 16 each diverge increasingly away from the axis as the respective free end is approached.

Indentation 30 and 32 are provided on the wings extending inwardly and positioned intermediate the free end and reverse bend of the associated wing.

In use, the wings I4 and 16 are squeezed together as shown in FIG. 3 thereby decreasing the distance between wings 14 and 16 and at the same time, enlarging the gap in the circle defined by the open end 20 of center section 12. Clip 10 is used as illustrated in FIG. 4. Accordingly, the clip serves to secure a first tubular member 34 in spaced position with respect to the spaced-apart tubular elements 36 and 38. Member 34 may, for example, be a heating coil which must be maintained between the coils 38 and 40 of a refrigerator evaporator denoted generally as 42. To this end, the transverse distance between the wing detents 30 and 32 of the clip in its relaxed condition must be somewhat greater than the distance between coils 38 and 40. Also, the diameter of the arcuate periphery defined by center section 12 must be somewhat smaller than that of the tubular member 34. The detents 32 and 34 have a configuration complementary to that of coils 38 and 40 so as to ensure a tight engagement therewith.

Clip 10 is positioned by applying a transverse force to wings I4 and 16 as shown in FIG. 3. The clip may then be positioned between the spaced-apart tubes. With the wings still in the compressed condition, the tube member to be secured is slipped into the arcuate periphery defined by center section 12 through the enlarged open end 20. The clip is then released allowing it to relax and assume its normal position causing the wings to securely engage the spaced-apart tubes and the center section to engage the tubular member.

Thus, in accordance with the above an improved mounting clip is provided. It should be understood that modifications may be made in the illustrated and described embodiment of the present invention without departing from the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is:

I claim:

1. A clip for use in securing a tubular member with respect to two spaced-apart tubular sections comprising an irregularly shaped member formed of a resilient material having a crosssectional configuration symmetrical about an axis, an arcuate center section defining the major portion of the periphery of a circle bisected by said axis, said center section having an open front end and closed rear end, wing portions integral with said center section extending rearwardly each from one side of the front end toward free ends on both sides of said axis from said center section, said wing portions each diverging from said axis toward the associated free end, and indented surfaces on each of said wing portions extending inwardly toward said axis wherein the diameter of said arcuate center section in its relaxed state is less than the diameter of the associated tube member and the spacing between the wing portions measured at the indentations in their expanded state is greater than the distance between the two spaced-apart tubing sections.

2. The invention, in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said wing indentations is disposed intermediate the rear of said center section and the associated wing-free end. 

